Monday, May 26, 2008

My ex- husband rang me at 6.30 this morning to tell me, he had the new ‘Ting Tings’ CD. It was playing top blast as I picked up the telephone.“Are you awake?” he asked.“I am now,” I answered.“I’ve got that music you were on about, it’s great!”I can’t remember the last time I’d heard him so excited; well I can but I won’t go into that!“Did you listen to the football last night?”“No,” I said, “Why would I?”He, (my ex) listens to the radio all night long, while he drives a truck. The solitude of his cab and the lack of human contact suit his nature. He doesn’t like people very much.“Well, Chelsea lost, so they were interviewing their supporters and I just knew they were going to use that word.”“What word?” I said, trying to sound interested.“Gutted!” he spat the word down the phone.“I bloody hate that word. Can’t they think of anything better to say, like devastated, upset, or heartbroken?”“Good morning to you too!” I said, “Don’t take it so seriously, I think you’re suffering with ‘Cabin Fever’ go for a walk.”“Ok, are the girls alright, did they enjoy the camping trip?”“They had a great time, they did kayaking, archery, and loads of other things. You should have seen them though; they looked like they’d been travelling round India for six months not in St Austell for three days!”“What did Freya do when she saw them?”“Cuddled them and told them she’d missed them. But I hadn’t even put their bags in the boot of the car before they were arguing about who could sit where.”“So things are back to normal then?”“It certainly got back to normal later,” I replied, “I took them round to Sandra for tea, so the girls could play with Martha, Alfie and Eltica, but we had to leave after an hour because they were so stroppy.”He, (the ex) was laughing.“It’s not funny,” I said, “I was really looking forward to them coming home and chatting with them. As it was, I had to put them all in a hot bath with a cup of chamomile tea and a few drops of Rescue Remedy. They were in bed and asleep by 7.30pm.”“Quiet night then?” he said stifling his amusement.“Once I’d had a cup of coffee and a Fairy cake with gin icing, it was great!”“Make me some for when I come down on Saturday, they sound great.”“Ok, see you then, have a good sleep.”“Yes, have a good day, bye.”As I put the phone down, Sorcha walked in.“Mummy, can I wear tights with my school dress?”“Good morning darling,” I replied.“I like you mum, you’re funny.”“Yes, you can wear them.”“Cool! I’d have been gutted if you’d said no.”

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Went to the beach with Freya, my youngest daughter, after school. It was very gusty and the waves were huge and pale turquoise. I love the beach when it's deserted, bar a few 'surfer dudes,' who I hasten to add, were the only things that really interested Freya. "Why do they keep falling off their boards?" she asked, giggling. I've always wondered why they keep getting back on!In between, trying to push each other into the sea, we managed to collect some beautiful green glass and pearly shells, oh, and made the customary visit to the vile public toilets. Freya loves toilets. when I take the girls to the cinema, she insists on going to the loo at least six times! It's no wonder that I'm never sure whether I've seen a film before.When we got home, Freya ran a bath and threw herself and her bucket, full of beach into it. I made roasted red pepper and humus sandwiches,(I never use the green ones, don't like their flavour)to keep our strength up during our next task: Freya wanted to make 'welcome home' cards for her sisters, who had been away on a camping trip.Freya, the bucket of beach, a piece of lilac card and a pot of glue went into the next room. I followed with the sandwiches and two cups of tea."Mummy, I really miss my sisters, I miss fighting with them.""They'll be back tomorrow, just busting for a row," I replied.Tomorrow ,I will have them all back together and I can't wait.